Methanol Poisoning Abroad: Educating our Sixth Formers

Ms J Theriault – Sixth Form Enrichment Coordinator

On the 13th of January, Mrs Prince led a Sixth Form assembly to make our Sixth Formers aware of the rise in methanol poisoning incidents abroad. She spoke about the scientific similarities between alcohol and methanol: the difference between the two chemically is only one carbon atom and 2 hydrogen atoms. They look, smell and taste identical. However, it’s the liver that breaks them down differently – which means that our bodies cannot cope with the products from methanol, leading to poisoning. She identified what to avoid when abroad and how to stay safe because this is a rising travel concern. We hope that this useful information will keep Sixth Form students safe when they have adventures abroad in the future.